For Ukraine to win, not all weapons are military
At a big huddle in Switzerland on Tuesday, many of the world鈥檚 democracies pledged to help pay for the economic recovery of Ukraine 鈥� even before the war with Russia ends. Coming days after Ukraine was invited to apply for European Union membership, the pledges should give its people 鈥渢he certainty that they are not alone,鈥� said Swiss President Ignazio Cassis.
Yet strengthening Ukraine鈥檚 war resolve was not the only reason for the offers to fund reconstruction. Much of Europe is inspired by the sacrifices Ukrainians are making on its behalf.
鈥淭hey are fighting for the respect of international laws and our values,鈥� said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Swiss conference. Democracies must ensure Ukraine 鈥渨ins the peace,鈥� she added, even as it struggles to win back territory.
In addition, prepping for a rebuild now sends a message. 鈥淭he Kremlin鈥檚 goal is the military, political, and economic destruction of Ukraine,鈥� said Ms. von der Leyen, a former German defense minister. 鈥淭hey want to undermine Ukraine鈥檚 very existence as a state. We cannot and we will never let that happen.鈥�
Ukraine鈥檚 recovery plan, released for the Swiss meeting with a $773 billion price tag, ranges from mending broken bridges to rebuilding thousands of homes destroyed in more than 1,000 cities and towns retaken by Ukrainian forces. Yet it also includes details on rejuvenating Ukraine鈥檚 economy to become more digitized, green, and resilient. Or as British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss put it, the recovery will show that Russia鈥檚 attempt to destroy Ukraine has 鈥渙nly produced a stronger, more prosperous, and more united nation.鈥�
The pledges help lift the war鈥檚 aim beyond mere liberation of territory taken by Russia. It is also an investment in European and world security, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president鈥檚 office, told the 42 donor nations.
Not all wars are fought with weapons. Just as effective can be a collective effort to undercut the reasons for a war. The promises to restore Ukraine will now be added to the country鈥檚 growing arsenal.
